The big question for the Yankees this offseason is whether or not the team will spend beyond the 2019 competitive balance tax limit of $206 million. Every other question - whether Bryce Harper or Manny Machado becomes a Yankee, if there’s a real desire to take on a big contract in a trade if it means landing a true ace - becomes moot if the team is determined to remain under the CBT threshold next season.
Some people - Brian Cashman and Hal Steinbrenner included - have sung the praises of staying below the CBT “cap”, because the team doesn’t want to be “lining the pockets” of the rest of the league.